The Nigeria Police Force has clarified the legal basis for its Motor Vehicle Tinted Glass Permit Policy, dismissing claims by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Afam Osigwe, as misleading.
In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the policy is backed by law and aimed at public safety and national security, not revenue generation.
The statement, titled “Nigeria Police Force And the Motor Vehicle Tinted Glass Permit Policy: Upholding the Rule of Law, Safeguarding Public Safety, And Respecting Due Process,” said the police were compelled to set the record straight following public commentary credited to the NBA president.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains a law-abiding institution operating strictly within the framework of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, extant statutes, and valid orders of courts of competent jurisdiction,” Hundeyin said.
He stressed that the regulation of tinted glass was not arbitrary, noting that it is grounded in the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
“The Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, Laws of the Federation (LFN), 2004 is an Act of the National Assembly and NOT a military decree as misrepresented by the President of NBA,” the statement said.
According to the police, Section 2(3)(a) of the Act empowers the Inspector-General of Police to issue tinted glass permits, while applicants are required to show valid security or health reasons.
Hundeyin explained that the policy was introduced to curb crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery and terrorism, often linked to the use of heavily tinted vehicles.
“It is therefore incorrect and misleading to portray the policy as a revenue-driven initiative,” he said.
The police also rejected allegations that payments for the permit were made into private accounts, describing such claims as false.
“Parkway Projects Limited is a Central Bank of Nigeria-licensed Payment Services Provider, engaged by the Federal Government as a payment collection channel for the Vehicle Tint Permit Project, in the same manner as platforms such as Remita,” the statement said.
The Force added that fees paid by applicants were used to maintain the technology and security systems supporting the automated permit process, not for revenue generation.
On enforcement, Hundeyin said earlier suspension of the policy was a voluntary move following stakeholder engagement and not based on any court order.
“For the avoidance of doubt, no court has issued a restraining order against the Nigeria Police Force on this matter,” he said.
He added that enforcement, where carried out, would be professional and rights-compliant, warning that any officer found guilty of extortion or abuse would be sanctioned.
“The Inspector-General of Police reiterates that extortion, harassment, or abuse of authority by any police officer will not be tolerated,” the statement said.
The police called for calm and responsible public discourse, assuring Nigerians of their commitment to professionalism, transparency and the protection of fundamental rights.
